SEER is an authoritative source of information on cancer incidence and survival in the United States. SEER currently collects and publishes cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries covering approximately 28 percent of the U.S. population.

Statistics at a GlanceShow More

At a Glance

Number of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The number of new cases of brain and other nervous system cancer was 6.4 per 100,000 men and women per year. The number of deaths was 4.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2010-2014 cases and deaths.

Lifetime Risk of Developing Cancer: Approximately 0.6 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with brain and other nervous system cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2012-2014 data.

Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2014, there were an estimated 162,341 people living with brain and other nervous system cancer in the United States.

Survival StatisticsShow More

How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More after Being Diagnosed with Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer?

Relative survival statistics compare the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer with the survival of people in the general population who are the same age, race, and sex and who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.

Percent Surviving5 Years

33.6%

Based on data from SEER 18 2007-2013. Gray figures represent those who have died from brain and other nervous system cancer. Green figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.

Survival by Stage

Cancer stage at diagnosis, which refers to extent of a cancer in the body, determines treatment options and has a strong influence on the length of survival. In general, if the cancer is found only in the part of the body where it started it is localized (sometimes referred to as stage 1). If it has spread to a different part of the body, the stage is regional or distant.
The earlier brain and other nervous system cancer is caught, the better chance a person has of surviving five years after being diagnosed.
For brain and other nervous system cancer, 77.1% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year survival for localized brain and other nervous system cancer is 36.5%.

Percent of Cases & 5-Year Relative Survival by Stage at Diagnosis: Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer

Number of New Cases and DeathsShow More

How Common Is This Cancer?

Compared to other cancers, brain and other nervous system cancer is relatively rare.

Common Types of Cancer

Estimated NewCases 2017

EstimatedDeaths 2017

1.

Breast Cancer (Female)

252,710

40,610

2.

Lung and Bronchus Cancer

222,500

155,870

3.

Prostate Cancer

161,360

26,730

4.

Colon and Rectum Cancer

135,430

50,260

5.

Melanoma of the Skin

87,110

9,730

6.

Bladder Cancer

79,030

16,870

7.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

72,240

20,140

8.

Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer

63,990

14,400

9.

Leukemia

62,130

24,500

10.

Endometrial Cancer

61,380

10,920

-

-

-

16.

Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer

23,800

16,700

Brain and other nervous system cancer represents 1.4% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.

1.4%

In 2017, it is estimated that there will be 23,800 new cases of brain and other nervous system cancer and an estimated 16,700 people will die of this disease.

Who Gets This Cancer?

This cancer is slightly more common in men than women and among those with certain genetic syndromes. The number of new cases of brain and other nervous system cancer was 6.4 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2010-2014 cases.

Percent of New Cases by Age Group: Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer

Brain and other nervous system cancer is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 55-64.

Median AgeAt Diagnosis

58

SEER 18 2010-2014, All Races, Both Sexes

Number of New Cases per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer

All Races

White

Black

Asian /Pacific Islander

American Indian /Alaska Native

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic

SEER 18 2010-2014, Age-Adjusted

Who Dies From This Cancer?

Brain and other nervous system cancer is the tenth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The number of deaths was 4.3 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2010-2014 deaths.

Percent of Deaths by Age Group: Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer

The percent of brain and other nervous system cancer deaths is highest among people aged 65-74.

Median AgeAt Death

65

U.S. 2010-2014, All Races, Both Sexes

Number of Deaths per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Brain and Other Nervous System Cancer

All Races

White

Black

Asian /Pacific Islander

American Indian /Alaska Native

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic

U.S. 2010-2014, Age-Adjusted

Trends in RatesShow More

Changes Over Time

Keeping track of the number of new cases, deaths, and survival over time (trends) can help scientists understand whether progress is being made and where additional research is needed to address challenges, such as improving screening or finding better treatments.

Using statistical models for analysis, rates for new brain and other nervous system cancer cases have been falling on average 0.2% each year over the last 10 years. Death rates have been stable over 2005-2014. 5-year survival trends are shown below the figure.

More About This CancerShow More

Cancer and the Brain

There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS).

The tumors may be either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Tumors that start in the brain are called primary brain tumors.

Primary brain tumors may spread to other parts of the brain or to the spine, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Often, tumors found in the brain have started somewhere else in the body and spread to one or more parts of the brain. These are called metastatic brain tumors (or brain metastases). Metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors.

These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the US population. Because these statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. To see tailored statistics, browse the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. To see statistics for a specific state, go to the State Cancer Profiles.

The statistics presented in these stat facts are based on the most recent data available, most of which can be found in the SEER Cancer Statistics Review. In some cases, different year spans may be used. Estimates for the current year are based on past data.

Cancer is a complex topic. There is a wide range of information available. These stat facts do not address causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or decision making, although links are provided to information in many of these areas.